Jie Huang-Suzuki Method Violin/Cello and Piano

Jie (Jenny) is currently working on her Masters in Violin Performance at Northern Illinois University and will be obtaining her Performers Certificate in Violin Performance.  She has been studying privately with Professor Mathias Tacke at NIU and has received her Bachelor of Violin Performance at Tianjin Conservatory of Music in China.  Jie has been teaching privately for 7 years and has a genuine caring and outgoing personsality that students and adults can appreciate.

 

Jason Thomson-Clarinet, Beginning Saxophone

Jason has received his Masters in Music Performance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.  He has been teaching for over 5 years and brings a teaching method that is truly inspirational to beginning and intermediate students.  Jason's focused attention to technique is a great benefit to young students.

 

Gus Gotsis-Drums/Percussion

Gus received a BA in Music from Southern Illinois University.  His playing and teaching career span 25+ years, and he has a passion for music that translates immediately to his students.  He enjoys teaching beginning students and shows considerable patience and understanding working with children. 

 

Daren J. Orlove-Bass Guitar

Daren has been playing bass for over 20 years and has developed a solid teaching curriculum for the past 3 + years.  Daren is active on the local music scene, playing in a number of ensembles, and has a solid background in rock, blues, swing, country and bluegrass, which showcase his stand-up acoustic bass technique.

 

Dave Byron-Acoustic/Electric Guitar

Dave has been playing the guitar since the age of 11 and has been teaching for over 20 years.  Dave's extensive teaching and performing background ranges from classical to flamenco,  being inspired by performers as Al DiMeola and Paco de Lucia, and has developed his own tremolo technique used by many flamenco style guitarists.  Dave has formed his own heavy metal bands, playing his own original material in addition to songs by Judas Priest, Iron Maiden and Black Sabbath.  Dave is an accomplished solo artist, performing over 40 shows per year and has just released his 5th solo album.

www.myspace.com/davebyronmusic

 

David Holloway-Piano/Jazz & Contemporary

Dave received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music from The Chicago College of Performing Arts, specializing in Jazz Studies & Performance.  Dave has been activly involved in music camps during the summer through Roosevelt University, working with young high school and college piano students.  Dave enjoys teaching and performing and is great working with young and beginning students.

 

 Lisa Starr-Vocals

Lisa is a dynamically entertaining and energetic performer and instructor.  Her background in classical voice provides the basic foundation from which she draws upon for both her performing and teaching arenas.  She studied music theory, piano and French horn, and has been performing for over twenty years, both as a solo artist and with various jazz and pop groups.  Her energy, enthusiasm and heartfelt soul are evident in both her teaching and performance styles. 

 

Tom Izzo-Trombones, Trumpet, Brass

With Degrees in Music and Theatre from North Central College in Naperville, additional studies at Vandercook College of Music in Chicago & the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Tom has been teaching and performing for forty years. He is an accomplished Arranger & Composer, currently arranging for a Brass Quintet in Atlanta, GA, a Clarinet Choir in Toronto, ON, as well serving as arranger & composer for his own Brass Quintet & various local jazz ensembles.

 

As Bass Trombonist of the West Suburban Symphony as well as the principal Trombonist of the Bristol Renaissance Faire in Kenosha, WI (Alto & Tenor Trombones)Tom is also the Founding Director of The Naperville Area Trombone Ensemble (large voiced Trombone Choir with members from IN, IL, WI, OH, TX, MA, & Canada) playing Alto through Contrabass trombones.

 

Apollo Music is proud to have an Instructor of Tom’s knowledge and experience as part of our faculty.

 

Kristin Paxinos-Flute

Kristin began her musical education in Chicago where she studied at the Sherwood Conservatory of Music. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Music degree from Indiana University and a Master of Music degree from DePaul University.

 

Kristin has been teaching for over 15 years, spending four years with the Bloomington Young Winds Program and eight years at The School of Performing Arts in Naperville.

 

In addition to teaching, Kristin has extensive performing experience. She has held flute and piccolo positions with the Evansville Philharmonic, the Terre Haute Symphony, the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, and the Bloomington Pops Orchestra; and substitute positions with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic.

 

Apollo Music is honored to have an instructor with Kristin’s experience and credentials.